176

HISTORY OP ENGLAND.

CHAP.VIII. -

16S8.by thePrivyCouncil,

repaired to the palace, and were called into the Councilchamber. Their petition was lying on the table. The Chan-cellor took the paper up, showed it to the Archbishop, andsaid, “Is this the paper which your Grace wrote, and whichthe six Bishops present delivered to his Majesty?” Sancroftlooked at the paper, turned to the King, and spoke thus:“Sir, I stand here a culprit. I never was so before. OnceI little thought that I ever should be so. Least of all could Ithink that I should be charged with any offence against myKing: but, since I am so unhappy as to be in this situation,your Majesty will not be offended if I avail myself of mylawful right to decline saying anything which may criminateme.” “This is mere chicanery,” said the King. “I hopethat your Grace will not do so ill a thing as to deny your ownhand.” “Sir,” said Lloyd, whose studies had been muchamong the casuists, “all divines agree that a person situatedas we are may refuse to answer such a question.” The King,as slow of understanding as quick of temper, could not com-prehend what the prelates meant. He persisted, and wasevidently becoming very angry. “Sir,” said the Archbishop,“I am not bound to accuse myself. Nevertheless, if yourMajesty positively commands me to answer, I will do so inthe confidence that a just and generous prince will not sufferwhat I say in obedience to his orders to be brought in evi-dence against me.” “You must not capitulate with yourSovereign,” said the Chancellor. “No,” said the King; “Iwill not give any such command. If you choose to deny yourown hands, I have nothing more to say to you.”

The Bishops were repeatedly sent out into the ante-chamber, and repeatedly called back into the Council room.At length James positively commanded them to answer thequestion. He did not expressly engage that their confessionshould not be used against them. But they, not unnaturally,supposed that, after what had passed, such an engagementwas implied in his command. Sancroft acknowledged hishandwriting; and his brethren followed his example. Theywere then interrogated about the meaning of some words inthe petition, and about the letter which had been circulated